Binding-post



y 1931- J. G. M C ILELLAN 1,803,718

BINDING POST Filed April 50, 1928 (/08 e o/ 6: McC/e//d/7,

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Patented May 5, 1931 JOSEPH G. MCCLELLAN, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURIBINDING-POST Application filed April 30,

This invention relates to binding-posts, and has more particularreference to a bind ing post or connector of the type employed instorage batteries, although certain features of the invention areapplicable to connectors generally.

Binding-posts of the familiar type used in storage batteries comprise apost adapted to be affixed to the respective plates of similar polarity,a split ring adapted to embrace the post and having a socket in whichthe conducting wire is adapted to be soldered, and a bolt extendingthrough the opposing portions of the ring at the split and adapted todraw the opposing portions toward one another to contract the ringtightly against the embraced post. However, the tightening or looseningof the embrace is effected by manipulating the nut of the bolt, whichmanipulation involves the use of a wrench, and is, at best, a tediousand awkward operation.

Accordingly. the present invention aims to provide means for comenientlyand expeditiously tightening or loosening the embraced and embracingelements with relation to one another, and, furthermore, to enable thisoperation to be effected without the aid of tools. Other objects andadvantages, more or less ancillary to the foregoing, will appear in thecourse of the following embodiment of the invention, that has beenselected for illustration only, and not in a limiting sense.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, inwhich like numbers of reference denote like parts wherever they occur,

Figure 1 is a plan view of the illustrative embodimentof the invention,as it appears when in clamping position;

Figure 2 is an axial sectional view, taken on the line 2-2 in Figure 1,with the post shown in elevation; and H Figure 3 is an elevation,looking toward the left in Figure 1, but with the parts released fromclamping position.

The binding-post 1 of a storage battery comprises the usual shank 2,conical at its upper end 3 and provided with an annular ing-head 22 forthe rod 1928. Serial No. 273,889.

flange 4 around its lower end and having its intermediate portion 5threadedfor the reception of a nut 6, adapted for clamping the cover 7of a cell between the flange 4 and the nut 6. A semi-cylindrical shank 8depends from the flange 4 and terminates at its lower end in thehorizontal substantially rectangular flange 9,110 which the plates ofsimilar polarity of the cell are attached, as will beunderstood by thoseskilled in the art. A ring 10 has a conical internal face 11complemental in shape to the tapered upper end 3 of the shank 2, so asto fit the same when placed thereon in embracing relation, and is splitat 12 and provided with the usual socket 18 in which the conducting wirelet is adapted to be soldered. The split 12 is usually formed betweenopposing flanges or ears 15 that extend outwardly from the split endportions of the ring; and a bolt of the ordinary type (not shown) hasheretofore been passed through the registerin openings 16 in the ears 15to clamp against the outer faces 17 of the ears 15 to force them towardone another andthereby to contract the ring 10 to tightly embrace theconical portion 3 of the shank 2.

In lieu of a bolt of the usual type, the present invention contemplatesthe use of a rl bolt 18, comprising a cylindrical rod havmg oppositelydisposed laterally extending cyhndrical arms 19 at one end, andscrewthreaded atthe other end 20 for the reception of a nut or nuts 21.A shiftable clampis pivotally borne by the arms 19. The head 22 ispreferably of sheet or plate metal formation and comprises an arm 23having oppositely disposed cars 24 projecting from one face thereof inspaced relation to one another so as to straddle the rod 18, the earsbeing provided with openmgs 25 for the reception of the arms 19. Theears 24 each present,,or, at least, one of the ears presents, aneccentric edge 26 adapted to engage the outer face-17: of the adjacentflange 15 of the ring 10, whereby the clamping function of said head iseffected when the lever or head 22 is turned to the position shown infull lines in Figure 3, by reason of the engaging portion mo 27 of saidcam edge being farther from the axis of the ear 24 than the non-engagingportion 28 of said edge. When the cam lever 22 is turned to the positionindicated in Figures 1 and 2, and in broken and dotted lines in Figure3, the non-engaging edge portion 28 of the cams or ears 24 is presentedtoward the outer face 17, thereby relieving the flanges 15 of thepressure that had been exerted thereon by the bolt 18, and so permittingthe ring 10 to expand to its normal or unstrained condition and therebyrelease its ip on the conical portion 3 of the shank 2. he engagingportion 27 of the cam edge 26 is preferably straight, instead ofarouate, and extends so that its intermediate portion is closer to theaxis of the cam 24 than its end portions, so that, when the arm 23 isshifted from its vertical towards its horizontal position, the lower endof the straight engaging portion 27 is first to encounter the face 17and it exerts its maximum pressure against the flange or ear 17 justbefore it reaches the position indicated in full lines in Figure 3, sothat, after passing the point of maximum pressure, the cam isautomatically snapped into its final locking position. It will beobserved that,

when the ring 10 is locked against the shank 2, the arm 23 overlies thering 10, or its flanges or ears 15, thereby conserving space above thecells, so that the cover of the outer box of the battery may closelyapproach the top of the binding-post.

Havin thus fully described this 'invention, I ereby reserve the benefitof all changes in form, arrangement, order, or use of parts, as it isevident that many minor changes may be made therein without departingfrom the spirit of this invention or the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a binding-post, a split ring adapted to engage said post andpresenting a pair of apertured clamping jaws, a bolt passing throughsaid jaws and having oppositely disposed lateral arms and a clampinghead pivotally borne by said arms, said head presenting a cam surfaceadapted to vary the intimacy of the post and ring upon the operation ofsaid head.

2. In a binding-post, a split ring adapted to engage said post andpresenting a, pair of apertured clamping jaws, a bolt passing throughsaid jaws and having oppositely disposed lateral arms and a clampinghead having oppositely arran ed apertured ears adapted to straddle saidolt and to be pivoted to said arms, said ears presentin an eccentricedge whereby the clamping unction of said head is effected.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

JOSEPH G. MCCLELLAN.

